Carrying device with load transfer capability

ABSTRACT

A support system for carrying a load in a carrier (i.e. a backpack), includes a crossbar engaged with first and second extension arms. A plurality of fasteners is mounted on the crossbar for engagement with the load carrier. Additionally, a support unit is provided for wear at the waist of the user which includes a first holster positioned on one side of the user, and a second holster positioned on the other side. With this combination, the user can lift the load by the extension arms of the support system and insert ends of the extension arms into respective holsters. The result here is to lift the load from the shoulders of the user with the support system to shift the force distribution of the load from the shoulders to the waist of the user.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/974,829, filed Apr. 3, 2014. The entire contents of Application Ser. No. 61/974,829 are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains generally to systems and devices that are used by individual persons to carry a load. More particularly, the present invention pertains to systems and devices which allow an individual to shift the weight distribution of a load against his/her body during transport of the load. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful for systems and devices that redistribute at least part of the weight distribution of a load from the shoulders of a user to his/her waist during load transport.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As a support structure for transporting loads, the human body has some substantial limitations. For one, both the capability and capacity of the human body to carry a load can vary substantially, depending on how the load is held. Of particular importance in this regard is how the weight of a load is distributed against a human body. Where heavy loads are concerned, weight distribution along with time and distance considerations can become quite significant. As a practical matter, for heavy loads, supporting the load with a person's shoulders may be necessary.

In a load-carrying situation, load location and the resultant force distribution against the body of the person carrying the load is an issue. For example, a person may be able to carry a load on one shoulder. This single-shoulder carry, however, may not last long before the person needs to switch shoulders. As another example, if the load allows, it may be preferable for the load to be carried simultaneously on both shoulders. A benefit to be realized in the last example is that there has been a load redistribution which results in a smaller force acting directly against each of the shoulders.

In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system or device for shifting the force distribution of a load that is being exerted against a user during transport of the load. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system or device which specifically shifts a part of the load effect on a user, by transferring forces from the shoulder(s) of the user to his/her waist. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a load carrying system or device which is easy to manufacture, is simple to use, and is comparatively cost effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a load support system is provided for carrying a load in a carrier. The system, in essence, includes a combination of interconnected tubing. Specifically, components for the load support system include a substantially straight, elongated crossbar having a first end and a second end. Also included are a first extension arm and a second extension arm which each have a first end and a second end. In combination with the crossbar, the first end of the first extension arm is engaged with the first end of the crossbar, and the first end of the second extension arm is engaged with the second end of the crossbar. A plurality of fasteners is mounted, as desired, on the crossbar and/or on the extension arms to establish a secure engagement of the load support system with the carrier that is holding the load. Alternatively, the crossbar and/or portions of the extension arms can be embedded into the carrier.

An additional feature of the present invention is a belt-like support unit which is to be worn around the waist of the user. For purposes of the present invention, the support unit has a first holster which is positioned on one side of the user, and it has a second holster which is positioned on the other side of the user. As intended for the present invention, the user can lift up on the first and second extension arms, and then insert the second ends of the extension arms into respective first and second holsters. A consequence of this reconfiguration is to lift the crossbar and the load from the shoulders of the user, and to thereby shift the force distribution of the load from the shoulders to the waist of the user.

For the manufacture of the system of the present invention, the fasteners can be any type of connector well known in the art, such as straps, buckles, clamps, clips, hooks and latches. As noted above, instead of using fasteners, the tubing for the present invention can be embedded in the carrier. For weight considerations, the tubing needs to be light weight. Thus, the crossbar and the first and second extension arms are preferably hollow tubes, and they are made of a material such as plastic, aluminum, stainless steel or nano tubing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a system in accordance with the present invention, for shifting the force distribution of a load exerted against a user;

FIG. 2A is an elevation view of a user wearing a load carrier (e.g. backpack) having a load shifting capability provided by the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a free body diagram of the user shown in FIG. 2A, with the resultant force distribution exerted on the user's body resulting from the load;

FIG. 3A is an elevation view of the user shown in FIG. 2A with his/her load shifted by employing the load shifting capability provided by the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a free body diagram of the user shown in FIG. 3A, with the resultant force distribution exerted on the user's body resulting from the shifted load; and

FIG. 4 is an alternate embodiment of the system shown in FIG. 1 for shifting the force distribution of a load exerted against a user in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a system for shifting a force distribution in accordance with the present invention is shown and is generally designated 10. As shown, the system 10 essentially includes both a support frame 12 and a separate support unit 14. In their cooperation with each other, the support frame 12 will interact directly with the support unit 14, as needed.

In FIG. 1 it is shown that the support frame 12 includes a crossbar 16 which is connected to a pair of extension arms 18 a and 18 b. For purposes of disclosure, the extension arm 18 a is identical with the extension arm 18 b. Accordingly, only the extension arm 18 b is disclosed here in detail. As shown, the extension arm 18 b includes an arm member 20 that is connected to the crossbar 16 by a shoulder joint 22. Further, a forearm member 24 is shown connected to the arm member 20 by an elbow joint 26. The forearm member 24 is shown to terminate at an end 28. For the present invention it is to be appreciated that the shoulder joint 22 and/or the elbow joint 26 can be either fixed or flexible, as desired. Also, it is to be appreciated that the extension arm 18 b can be of a unitary construction, with no ability for movement of the forearm member 24 relative to the arm member 20.

The support unit 14 of the system 10 is shown to include a belt 30. Importantly the support unit 14 also includes a pair of holsters 32 a and 32 b which hang from the belt 30. As intended for the present invention, the support unit 14 is to be worn about the waist of a user 34 as shown in FIG. 2A, so that the holsters 32 a and 32 b are respectively positioned on opposite sides of the user 34.

Referring now to FIG. 2A it will be appreciated that a carrier 36 (e.g. a backpack or a radiologic lead apron) can be somehow integrated with the support frame 12. Typically, the carrier 36 will be a receptacle for carrying a load (e.g. in a backpack), and it will include a shoulder strap(s) 38 which assists the user 34 in transporting the load (not shown). As noted above, for one embodiment of the present invention, the support frame 12 can be embedded into the carrier 36.

An operation of the present invention will be best appreciated with cross reference to FIGS. 2A and 3A. In FIG. 2A, the user 34 is shown using only the shoulder strap(s) 38 to support the entire load that is being held in the carrier 36. The result in this case, which is shown in FIG. 2B, is a force distribution 40 that extends primarily over the shoulder(s) of the user 34. As is well known, such a force distribution can be very tiring. To alleviate this situation, FIG. 3A shows that the user 34 can manipulate the extension arms 18 a and 18 b to position the ends 28 of the extension arms 18 a and 18 b into a respective holster 32 a and 32 b of the support unit 14. The result in this case, which is shown in FIG. 3B, is a substantially diminished force distribution 42 acting on the shoulder(s) of the user 34, acting together with a concentrated force 44 acting on the waist of the user 34. Note: the magnitude of the force distribution 40 (FIG. 2B) is equal to the sum of the diminished force distribution 42 and the concentrated force 44 (FIG. 3B). It may happen that the diminished force distribution 42 is equal to, or nearly zero. In this case the entire load is shifted to the concentrated force 44 acting at the waist of the user 34.

With reference to FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment for the present invention is shown with additional components for the support frame 12′. In particular, the support frame 12′ is shown with a plurality of fasteners 46 which can be individually mounted on the support frame 12′, on the crossbar 16, and/or on the extension arms 18′a, and 18′b. As implied above, the fasteners 46 can be used to secure the support frame 12′ in a secure engagement with the carrier 36. As envisioned for the present invention, the fasteners 46 can be of any type well known in the art for the intended purpose, such as straps, buckles, clamps, clips, hooks, or latches.

FIG. 4 also shows that the ends 28 of the extension arms 18′a and 18′b can be modified to create a respective gripping handle 48. In detail, to create the gripping handle 48, a prong 50 is joined to the extension arm 18′b at a wrist joint 52. For this configuration of the present invention, the user 34 can then insert either the end 28 of the extension arm 18′ (a and b), or the prong 50 of a gripping handle 48 into the holster 32 to obtain the same results as noted above for the support frame 12. In all configurations of the present invention, the tubing used for the crossbar 16, the extension arms 18′a and 18′b, as well as the prong 50 may be made of a light weight material such as plastic, aluminum, stainless steel or nano tubing.

While the particular Carrying Device with Load Transfer Capability as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for shifting the force distribution of a load against a user as it is being transported by the user which comprises: a carrier for transporting the load, wherein the carrier includes a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap, and wherein the first and second shoulder straps are adjustable for supporting the load on the shoulders of the user; a crossbar affixed in a secure engagement with the carrier, wherein the crossbar has a first end and a second end; a first extension arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first extension arm is engaged with the first end of the crossbar; a second extension arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second extension arm is engaged with the second end of the crossbar; and a support unit for wear at the waist of the user, wherein the support unit has a first holster positioned on one side of the user, and a second holster positioned on the other side of the user, so the user can lift the first and second extension arms for insertion into the respective first and second holsters to lift the crossbar and the shoulder straps of the carrier from the shoulders of the user to shift the force distribution of the load from the shoulders to the waist of the user.
 2. The device as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a first gripping handle attached to the second end of the first extension arm, wherein the first gripping handle is formed with a prong; and a second gripping handle formed with a prong and attached to the second end of the second extension arm.
 3. The device as recited in claim 2 wherein the first extension arm and the second extension arm each comprises: an arm member; a shoulder joint interconnecting the arm member with the crossbar; a forearm member; an elbow joint interconnecting the forearm member with the arm member opposite the crossbar; and a wrist joint for interconnecting the gripping handle with the forearm member opposite the arm member.
 4. The device as recited in claim 3 wherein the elbow joint and the wrist joint are flexible joints, and wherein the shoulder joint is a fixed joint.
 5. The device as recited in claim 2 wherein the gripping handle has a grip extending distally from the wrist joint in axial alignment with the forearm member, and wherein the prong extends from the wrist joint perpendicular to the grip for selective insertion into a holster.
 6. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the crossbar is embedded in the carrier.
 7. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the carrier is a backpack.
 8. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the carrier is a radiologic lead apron.
 9. The device as recited in claim 3 wherein the crossbar, the arm members, the forearm members and the gripping handles are hollow tubes.
 10. The device as recited in claim 9 wherein the crossbar, the arm members, the forearm members and the gripping handles are made of material selected from the group consisting of plastic, aluminum, stainless steel and nano tubing.
 11. A device for shifting the force distribution of a load against a user as the load is being carried by the user in a carrier, the device comprising: a support frame having fasteners mounted thereon for engagement of the support frame with the carrier, wherein the support frame includes a crossbar and a pair of extension arms extending from the crossbar to an exposed end of the respective extension arm; and a pair of holsters positioned on the waist of the user, wherein the user can manipulate the pair of extension arms of the support frame for insertion of the exposed ends thereof into a respective holster, to lift the support frame and the carrier attached thereto from the shoulders of the user to shift the weight distribution of the load from the shoulders to the waist of the user.
 12. The device as recited in claim 11 wherein the fasteners are selected from the group consisting of straps, buckles, clamps, clips, hooks and latches.
 13. The device as recited in claim 12 wherein the extension arms each comprises: an arm member; a shoulder joint interconnecting the arm member with the crossbar; a forearm member; an elbow joint interconnecting the forearm member with the arm member opposite the crossbar; and a wrist joint for interconnecting a gripping handle with the forearm member opposite the arm member.
 14. The device as recited in claim 13 wherein the elbow joint and the wrist joint are flexible joints, and wherein the shoulder joint is a fixed joint, and wherein the arm member and the forearm member have adjustable lengths.
 15. The device as recited in claim 14 wherein the gripping handle has a grip extending distally from the wrist joint in axial alignment with the forearm member, and wherein a prong extends from the wrist joint perpendicular to the grip.
 16. The device as recited in claim 15 wherein the carrier is a backpack.
 17. The device as recited in claim 15 wherein the crossbar, the arm members, the forearm members and the gripping handles are hollow tubes, and are made of material selected from the group consisting of plastic, aluminum, stainless steel and nano tubing.
 18. A load support system for a user carrying the load which comprises: a crossbar having a first end and a second end; a first extension arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first extension arm is engaged with the first end of the crossbar; a second extension arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second extension arm is engaged with the second end of the crossbar; a plurality of fasteners mounted on the crossbar for secure engagement with the load; and a support unit for wear at the waist of the user, wherein the support unit has a first holster positioned on one side of the user and a second holster positioned on the other side of the user, so the user can lift the first and second extension arms for insertion into the respective first and second holsters to lift the crossbar and the carrier from the shoulders of the user to shift the force distribution of the load from the shoulders to the waist of the user.
 19. The system as recited in claim 18 wherein fasteners in the plurality are selected from the group consisting of straps, buckles, clamps, clips, hooks and latches.
 20. A system as recited in claim 18 wherein the crossbar and the first and second extension arms are hollow tubes, and are made of material selected from the group consisting of plastic, aluminum, stainless steel and nano tubing. 